Linger says superintendent search will wait until next week

West Virginia Board of Education President Wade Linger issued a statement Nov. 20 saying that "it is paramount that the public voice continues to be heard" as the state moves forward with "significant education reform."

Linger has been at the center of education attention for the past few days after his sudden announcement Nov. 15 that Superintendent Jorea Marple would be fired after about 20 months on the job. Her employment was not listed on the Nov. 15 meeting agenda.

"I have been advised by counsel that there may be concerns over the Open Meetings Act and we want to be responsive," Linger said in his statement. "I remain committed to my actions and recommendations regarding a new direction for education in our state but believe it is important to address this concern."

A board agenda for Nov. 21 included discussion about the superintendent vacancy, but it was later removed. And Linger's Nov. 20 announcement reinforced the narrowed focus of the scheduled meeting.

"As I have previously stated, the focus of this Wednesday's meeting should be solely on the audit without distraction," Linger said in the news release. "As such a special meeting will be held on Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. to revisit the recommendation regarding the state superintendent."